Never forgotten: Saranac firefighters honored

Friday

Mar 15, 2013 at 6:43 PMMar 18, 2013 at 1:30 PM

Saranac volunteer firefighters mark 30-plus years protecting the village and its residents.

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

When a fire or medical emergency happens in Saranac, it is the village's own community members who respond. That is the way it has been since the fire department was founded in 1876, when firemen brought a hose cart with them to fight blazes inside the village, but relied on mutual aid from other towns to help out with emergencies in the country.

In 1946, Saranac got its first motorized fire engine, and began keeping track of the names of residents who donated their time to protect their community. According to Assistant Fire Chief Tim Simmons, there have been 107 volunteer firefighters on the books over the past 67 years. Forty-eight of them have served more than 10 years. Some families have had two, three and four generations of emergency responders over the decades: grandfathers, fathers, sons and brothers – and now daughters.

Six surviving firefighters have been members of the department for 30 or more years, and came together Thursday at the fire station to reminisce and have their picture taken in front of the "Wall of Flame," a series of plaques bearing the names of those who have served for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-plus years. Most said they joined because they enjoyed lending a hand to their neighbors.

A friend talked Fred Bowman Jr. into signing up in 1959, and he stayed a member until 1995. "I thought I could help," he said. "Back then they voted, and accepted me, so I was in."

Dean Mulnix joined the department when he was 18 in 1971 and served until 2001. "It was something to be proud of," he said. "It was a good group of guys."

Don Kauffman said he joined in 1964 and stayed on until 1993. "They came up to the house and asked me to join," he said.

Dennis Bowen was a department member from 1968 to 2008. "It was a good way to get involved with the community, and to help people out," he said.

Bowen also recruited new members of the fire department. James Darby, who joined in 1980, and is now fire chief, and Jerry Kauffman, who joined in 1981, got involved as Explorer Scouts helping firefighters with equipment at fires, and Bowen was their instructor.

"At first the older guys didn't think that kids should be here," Darby said.

"Until they saw what we can do," Jerry Kauffman added with a grin. "Then they liked it."

Jerry's dad, Don, was a member; Jim's father and grandfather both served on the department.

"For me it was a family thing, like Jerry and Dennis. When we were younger, it was fun," he said. "In the long run, it's helping people. It's nice to help them out of a situation and get them on their way. If we didn't do it, help is a long way away."

Darby added that the firefighters, past and present (there are now 23 active on the roster) "feel like we're family.

"We're a tight-knit group," he said. "We share the ups and downs being at scenes."

Maintaining the records and keeping the history alive is important to Simmons, who updates the plaques with names when someone has reached a milestone.

"I felt like we were forgetting these guys," Simmons said.

Simmons invites residents to come to the Saranac Village Fire Department at 10 S. Bridge St. to view the Wall of Flame, especially if they have a family member who served with the department. Call him at 616-642-6000 to arrange a time.